Retrolaminar Block Versus Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Liver Resection Surgery

Retrolaminar Block Versus Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Open Liver Resection Surgery

Adequate pain control improves postoperative outcomes and is imperative for enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) . Open liver resection surgery is associated with intraoperative blood loss, hypotension, coagulopathy, pulmonary complications, liver impairment, and renal impairment, making perioperative pain management challenging . Multimodal analgesic strategies employing regional techniques decrease postoperative pain and opioid consumption following liver resections. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is considered the 'gold standard' for open thoracic and abdominal surgical procedures .

The retrolaminar block (RLB) is a modified paravertebral block that administers local anesthetic between the lamina of the thoracic vertebra and the erector spinae muscles, using landmark technique or under ultrasound guidance, rather than entering the needle into the thoracic paravertebral space (TPVS) directly. Moreover, real-time ultrasound guidance can help identify the lamina and monitor the spread of local anesthetic .

Ultrasound-guided Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block is proven to provide adequate analgesia for upper and lower abdominal surgeries. A local anesthetic (LA) is deposited in the plane between the transversus abdominis and posterior sheath of the rectus muscle in the subcostal region to anesthetize the anterior cutaneous branches of the lower intercostal nerves (T7-T11). In this study, we aimed to compare the analgesic effect of RLB and subcostal TAP block in patients undergoing open liver resection surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

Physical status American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)II, III. Body mass index (BMI): 20-35 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patient refusal Physical status ASA IV BMI < 20 kg/m2 and >35 kg/m2 known sensitivity or contraindication to drug used in the study (local anesthetics, opioids).

History of psychological disorders and/or chronic pain. Contraindication to regional anesthesia e.g., local sepsis, pre- existing peripheral neuropathies, and coagulopathy.

Severe respiratory, cardiac disorders and renal disease.